Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA) December 14, 2010, named Olivet Community Schools superintendent David J. Campbell as the2010 Michigan Superintendent of the Year.
Executive Director William H. Mayes visited the Olivet Community Schools (OCS) Board of Education meeting December 14, 2009, to announce that Campbell had been named 2010 Michigan Superintendent of the Year.
“This is a most prestigious honor,” said Mayes during the presentation. “You can be proud to have been chosen from a group of highly qualified nominees. It is clear to me—as it was to our selection committee—that Mr. Campbell is committed to providing a caring and academically challenging environment that prepares students to meet the challenges of a changing world.”
Campbell will receive an award plaque and address a gathering of more than 400 school leaders at the MASA Midwinter Conference in Kalamazoo during a noon luncheon event.
In November 2009, a panel of distinguished judges selected Campbell from a pool of about a dozen highly qualified nominees. The selection of the Michigan recipient is part of the American Association of School Administrator’s National Superintendent of the Year Program. As the MASA honoree, Campbell also became a finalist for the National Superintendent of the Year Award.
“We believe the attributes David Campbell possesses and his exemplary performance during 17 years of employment in Olivet qualify him as a viable candidate for Superintendent of the Year,” OCS Board of Education president Bethel V. Page concluded in her July 2009 nomination letter on behalf of the full board.
Mr. Campbell was selected by a distinguished panel representing Michigan’s various education stakeholders, including the Michigan Teacher of the Year, parents, business officials, school boards, principals, and higher education. MASA will recognize Campbell at its Midwinter Conference in Kalamazoo in January 2010. He will have opportunities throughout the year to address superintendents statewide, and his name will be inscribed on a commemorative plaque on display at the MASA office in Lansing.
The Superintendent of the Year Award is presented by MASA to one member who has shown tremendous effort and dedication to enriching the lives of children and the community as a whole. Mr. Campbell is recognized for his promotion of positive team morale, which has earned the respect of the students, staff, and community.
"Mr. Campbell is a compassionate professional who leads by example," said Page. "He is always concerned with the 'total student,' considering academic as well as social and emotional needs."
As evidence of Campbell’s quality leadership, nominators pointed to Campbell's skills at conflict resolution with a humanistic approach, while keeping the best interests of the district at the forefront of any decision that is made.
“He has dealt with several extremely difficult personnel issues during his tenure as Superintendent,” Page said. Dave always leaves the staff member, community member, or student with their dignity intact. This is a truly remarkable trait.”
Campbell is being recognized also for his advocacy for putting students first—always. The Board cited his concern with the “total student,” caring about academic as well as social and emotional needs. They accredited this positive and safe learning environment as a key factor in his approach toward fulfilling the district’s stated mission to provide a caring and academically challenging environment that develops responsible citizens prepared to meet the changing demands of our society. His nominators contend that this culture of respect, along with two major facilities upgrades spearheaded and overseen by Campbell over his 9 years as superintendent, has led to steadily increasing enrollment without any formal marketing effort.
Finally, the Board acknowledged Campbell’s earned respect and influence beyond the school walls, where he maintains positive relationships with multiple stakeholders. Campbell is a frequent speaker at education conferences on topics as varied as finance reform and teacher/administrator evaluation. He is actively involved with MASA at the state and region levels, and frequently travels to Lansing to meet with legislators, the State Superintendent of Instruction, and even once with Governor Granholm.
“Dave’s work ethic is unmatched by anyone in our district,” said Page. “He is continually reading, doing research, taking graduate classes, attending seminars and conferences to improve himself as a leader, keeping Olivet Community Schools at the forefront of academic innovation."
MASA is a statewide association that represents the superintendents and first-line administrators of Michigan’s local and intermediate school districts. The mission of MASA is to develop leadership and unity within its membership to achieve the continuous improvement of public education in Michigan.
